Re: Fools! There will be a King!

[Miranda Frost]

The fortress was massive, bigger than any they had seen before. If the leader of this nation had moved to this one, the king of Koopa's ego must be just as big. Constructed of black stone blocks as thick as tall and thick as she was tall, this bastion was no farce. It stood high and imposing like a mountains and its guards were no joke either. Even as she stood, her eyes scanning over its walls, a small detachment of red-shelled koopas led by an older blue shell approached. Above them upon the ramparts wide cannons were set in place, trained upon Miranda and her small band.

The battle ready formation of walking turtles came to an abrupt halt, blocking the party's way to the fortress gates. The blue shelled koopa walked his way up to Miranda.

"Don't mind the welcoming committee, things have been eh.. hectic to say the least for the past few days. Now then, what brings your fine crew here?", the blue shelled commander said, peaking around Miranda's form to get a glimpse of zack, Drake, and Colonel. No doubt he was wondering about the strange assortment of people gathered here. It wasn't hard to tell their origins were clearly different from each other's... especially in Colonel's case.

Miranda sighed and slightly unzipped her coat, pulling a rolled up piece of parchment from its right internal pocket. She unrolled it and handed to the height-challenged being before her. "We were told there were bandit problems. We are here to clean up this mess of yours."

"Oh dear. I'm sorry to say that these notices are at least a year old madam."

"You better be kidding me. Finding this King Bowser of yours was no cake walk.", she replied, her face reddening in frustration.

"No. I'm not. It doesn't mean we can't use your assistance however. We have been hearing rumors of an organisation being formed without approval of His Excellancy himself. We haven't been able to approach this organisation."

"So you... know nothing about the people we would be hired to find?"

"No, though we have reason to believe that this organisation is behind two crimes against Bowser and his subjects. The first is the massacre of the entire North village some twenty miles from here. The second is the robbery of an important artifact that was held deep within this fortress's dungeons. Our king has been on edge lately, believing this organisation sponsored by the Empire, based in a verse neighboring ours, though without proof, he cannot justify military action.

"I see. Find out who these criminals are, stop them, and report back. Simple". Miranda turned and began to walk away before remembering that she really didn't know exactly where this North Village is supposed to be. She turned quickly on her heels, facing the commander once again. "How exactly do we get there?"

"Go back the way you came for one mile and take the road leading off the road you traveled to get here... but wait! you reaallly must inform Bowser of your actions while you're here. Come, I will try and get you an audience."